Anyone ever have a wedding ceremony in Ireland?

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

Hi everybody. I have a question. My husbnad and I are planning on having our union blessed by the church in Ireland so his family can go. My question is, neither of us have ever been to a wedding there, and I want to know if there's a lot of differences between an Irish wedding/reception and an American one. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!!!

[Mand 1]

I'm from the country, as are my family, so my experiences are of country weddings and not city ones. Getting married in Ireland is crazy expensive let me warn you. And for an average no frills attached wedding, it can run from $20,000 to $30,000...and that is just the bare basics!! Unlike here, where bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, the bride is responsible for purchasing everything for the bridesmaids, down to the shoes. She also gives them all a necklace as a token of her appreciation.

Weddings in Ireland start at around 2pm with the church ceremony which can last for an hour and a half...more if you have a lot of singing. This is usually followed by about an hour of photographs...some people travel elsewhere for these...i.e. a nearby beach, park, Bunratty etc. All the guests follow the wedding car, beeping their car horns in celebration. Everyone's car is usually decorated with ribbons for this. If you're in real country land, people who know a wedding is passing will have mini bonfires lit by the side of the road to cheer them on too!!

On coming into the hotel there is usually a punch reception for every one and tea/coffee and sandwiches while waiting for the meal and main recpetion, which often mightn't be served till the evening. A full 5-6 course meal is served with white/red wine. The entire room is also usually bought a 2-3 free rounds throughout the night by the brides father. Most people do not have a free bar as this leads to huge costs! During the meal, the best man gives the first speech, the father of the bride gives a speech and the groom. It's also now common for the bride to give a speech. After all this is finished, the tables and chairs are moved to the sides and the band sets up and the real party begins!! The bride and groom have the first dance, then the best man, groomsmen and bridesmaids join them and then the family and all your friends. You know it's a great night if the dance floor fills up fast!! If it's a brilliant wedding, most carry on into the residents bar of the hotel and continue into the early hours of the morning...i.e. think "no sleep'!!

Usually Irish weddings are now a weekend affair, with a big meet up in the local pub the next day to send off the couple on their honeymoon.

Nowadays, people are pretty much planning their weddings as they want. I've been to weddings where the family and friends did the music as they were all traditional singers and played instruments. The traditional weddings are still very prevalent in Ireland...the band and DJ afterwards. I've also been to weddings where there was a salsa band, which was hilarious watching everyone trying to salsa. The ones that are the best craic though, are the ones where everyone is having a good time and the day is not catered to one group of people...but allows everyone, from the kids to the Grandparents to have a great day!!

I've probably left out lots of little things, but no matter what you choose, I'm sure it'll be magical

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

I'm from the country, as are my family, so my experiences are of country weddings and not city ones. Getting married in Ireland is crazy expensive let me warn you. And for an average no frills attached wedding, it can run from $20,000 to $30,000...and that is just the bare basics!! Unlike here, where bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, the bride is responsible for purchasing everything for the bridesmaids, down to the shoes. She also gives them all a necklace as a token of her appreciation.

Weddings in Ireland start at around 2pm with the church ceremony which can last for an hour and a half...more if you have a lot of singing. This is usually followed by about an hour of photographs...some people travel elsewhere for these...i.e. a nearby beach, park, Bunratty etc. All the guests follow the wedding car, beeping their car horns in celebration. Everyone's car is usually decorated with ribbons for this. If you're in real country land, people who know a wedding is passing will have mini bonfires lit by the side of the road to cheer them on too!!

On coming into the hotel there is usually a punch reception for every one and tea/coffee and sandwiches while waiting for the meal and main recpetion, which often mightn't be served till the evening. A full 5-6 course meal is served with white/red wine. The entire room is also usually bought a 2-3 free rounds throughout the night by the brides father. Most people do not have a free bar as this leads to huge costs! During the meal, the best man gives the first speech, the father of the bride gives a speech and the groom. It's also now common for the bride to give a speech. After all this is finished, the tables and chairs are moved to the sides and the band sets up and the real party begins!! The bride and groom have the first dance, then the best man, groomsmen and bridesmaids join them and then the family and all your friends. You know it's a great night if the dance floor fills up fast!! If it's a brilliant wedding, most carry on into the residents bar of the hotel and continue into the early hours of the morning...i.e. think "no sleep'!!

Usually Irish weddings are now a weekend affair, with a big meet up in the local pub the next day to send off the couple on their honeymoon.

Nowadays, people are pretty much planning their weddings as they want. I've been to weddings where the family and friends did the music as they were all traditional singers and played instruments. The traditional weddings are still very prevalent in Ireland...the band and DJ afterwards. I've also been to weddings where there was a salsa band, which was hilarious watching everyone trying to salsa. The ones that are the best craic though, are the ones where everyone is having a good time and the day is not catered to one group of people...but allows everyone, from the kids to the Grandparents to have a great day!!

I've probably left out lots of little things, but no matter what you choose, I'm sure it'll be magical

Thank so much for the input!! The ceremony itself is going to be held in the North Cathedral in Cork and the reception is going to most likely be held in the Ambassador Hotel, which I was REALLY surprised, is pretty reasonable. My main problem right now is my mother in law. She wants a band. No DJ. Only 60's music played etc.... I would really rather have a DJ that way people can request songs and my hubby and I will be able to hear some songs that we would like to as well. I have no problems with all the other traditions and things of that nature, but I really feel like this is one thing I want to stick to my guns on, so to speak. Does anyone ever do a reception with just a DJ and no band? Thanks again, you're response was fantastic!!!!!

[Mand 1]

No problem. It sounds like your mother in law is looking for the traditional (not in the Irish music sense of the word) "show-band" type band who play music for waltzing/jiving etc. These are corny, but are actually lots of fun as the night goes on. I haven't been to a wedding with just a DJ, but most people nowadays are trying to make their day more personal, so everything and anything goes! Most weddings have a band till about 11:30 and a DJ from then till about 1:30...you just have to make sure there's a swift change-over and not much idle time!

You could also look for a more contemporary band who'll do a good mix of new and old. If you are both adamant about what you want for your wedding, then this is the one time that you have the right to choose what pleases you and your husband...and the little lad too! You want to look back on the day and think "That was perfect and exactly what we wanted".

[rebeccajo 14]

Amanda - When you talk about the service being that long....is that a catholic service? Or are they both that way?

I'm always curious about the differences between my protestant church and Wes'.

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

Amanda - When you talk about the service being that long....is that a catholic service? Or are they both that way?

I'm always curious about the differences between my protestant church and Wes'.

I know the catholic ceremony is really long because it's done in conjunction with a mass. I'm not sure about the protestant church. Over here the catholic wedding is only about 1/2 an hour because they just do the sacrament and not the whole she-bang, but when I mentioned that to my MIL, she almost fainted.

[Mand 1]

Amanda - When you talk about the service being that long....is that a catholic service? Or are they both that way?

I'm always curious about the differences between my protestant church and Wes'.

I really don't know Rebecca...and now you have me wondering too!! I've never actually been to any Protestant mass at all (I was at the Doc getting prodded and poked again, so sorry bout the delay in replying!!)

Erin, the half hour mass sounds great to me!!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I think if both bride and groom are not catholic you can't have full mass with the eucharist, so there is a condensed version